“As crushing to get used to as real life, Crap! I’m Broke rewards diligent players with a frantic fun time. Just like real life.”
-Ric Cowley (Pocket Gamer UK)

Dodge Death & Debt in Crap! I’m Broke — Out Now on iOS & Android

BUSSUM, The Netherlands — Oct. 11, 2016 —Crap! I’m Broke: Out of Pocket, a comedic take on adulthood, is now available on the App Store and Google Play. With a sharp wit and unmatched Cubist aesthetic, Crap! I’m Broke addresses the struggle of underemployment with incredibly fun mini-games and a mischievous sense of humor.

In Crap! I’m Broke, you start by finding some work. On your own for the first time, you begin your career as a human statue, club bouncer, or any other odd job you stumble upon — anything to avoid eviction and keep starvation at bay. Each “Help Wanted” sign presents a challenging new time-limited mini-game, such as:

scrubbing dishes until they’re squeaky clean at a local diner

flipping burgers for customers at a burger joint

putting colored cans in their appropriate bins at a factory

Be sure to keep an eye on the countdown timer and hunger meters. Forgetting to pay your bills on time will get you evicted — while not saving enough money for food will cause you to die of starvation! On the other hand, paying your bills before the due date will unlock special micro-games that you can play at your leisure. If you complete special “Employee of the Month” challenges, you can also earn extra bonuses after every successful job!

Random events can and will take place — raising the cost of your bills at the end of the month. Thankfully, you can also earn lifetime achievements and buy new items to unlock higher paying jobs — eventually selling achievements and items on particularly tough months. Conversely, you can put off the inevitable by going into debt — but make sure you pay it off by the end of the month. If you’re late, say goodbye to that comfy apartment!

If you regularly complete challenges and do good deeds such donating to charities, you’ll be rewarded with good luck through Crap! I’m Broke’s karma system — which increases your chances at winning lottery tickets, receiving gifts in the mail, and more. Likewise, performing less-than-stellar deeds will land you on the business end of a series of unfortunate events.

“In college — when I was a fairly broke student — I received a dentist bill of €80. It may not sound like much now, but it might as well have been €1,000 back then,” says Molly Heady-Carroll, co-founder of Arcane Circus. “I wanted to make a game that shows players what it’s like to just get by — and what it really takes to basically stay above water.”

“When I moved out of my mom’s house, I had to find a job immediately. I remember just walking around looking for ‘Help Wanted’ ads in windows, which is what influenced the idea of running around town to find jobs in the game,” says Erik van Wees, co-founder of Arcane Circus. “Other real-world experiences also had an effect on gameplay — such as having to choose between bills and eating. That’s a tough choice no matter how you slice it.”

Key Features

Enjoy a Cubist-inspired game world and a jazzy soundtrack by underground musician Kimono.

Pursue a variety of careers as dishwasher, human statue, bouncer … and many more!

Play fun mini-game jobs — and do whatever it takes to pay those bills.

Use your newfound disposable income to buy items, unlock perks, and earn new jobs — spending as wisely or as recklessly as you see fit.

Save spare time between levels and unlock micro-games.

Choose and accomplish New Year’s resolutions and collect lifetime memories.

Be a Good Samaritan and reap rewards — or misbehave and be met with bad luck — with an in-game karma system.

Buy items at the in-game webshop that may grant you perks and access to new areas.

Pricing & AvailabilityCrap! I’m Broke: Out of Pocket is now available on the App Store and Google Play for only $1.99. The game does not include any IAPs or additional DLC.

About Arcane CircusEstablished in 2013, Arcane Circus is a two-person studio based in the Netherlands. Founders Erik van Wees and Molly Heady-Carroll believe that games enrich our lives and make us better people. Combining their shared fascination for art, intrigue and games, Molly and Erik strive to create games that are peculiar, varied, quirky, and lovingly crafted with a strong, creative voice.

Crap! I’m Broke: Out of Pocket Now50%Off for a Limited Time

Come for the anniversary sale. Stay for the new game scoop!

BUSSUM, The Netherlands – Oct. 11, 2017 – It has been quite a year for Crap! I’m Broke: Out of Pocket – and for Dutch duo Molly Heady-Carroll and Erik van Wace of Arcane Circus. Thousands of iOS and Android players have experienced the game’s harsh and yet hilarious take on adulthood – from the mundane horror of eviction to the joy of nailing a fun, high-paying job. Budget-conscious gamers can now try their luck for only $0.99 – if they’re confident they can survive, that is.

Awards & AccoladesArcane Circus can’t stop, won’t stop. Molly and Erik have been invited to speak and showcase at a variety of events – and Crap I’m Broke has earned a number of awards:

And it doesn’t end there: Crap! I’m Broke has received a physical version for Anne Bras’ big boxed PC games collection. Molly Heady-Carroll has published two art books: The Art of Molly Vol.1 and Weekly Zoo Drawings. And the duo’s Global Game Jam game – Journey of the Fyra Birds, in collaboration with gHSTS & gUITARS – was given a visual update and made available on itch.io.

“We are so incredibly grateful to all the iOS and Android users who bought Crap! I’m Broke,” says Molly Heady-Carroll, co-founder of Arcane Circus. “Without their support, we’re pretty sure our budding game development careers would have met an untimely end – and worse still, without any comic relief!”

“We hid some special treats in the game for those playing during Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s Day,” adds Erik van Wace, co-founder of Arcane Circus. “The Grim Reaper has never been known for his style choices, but there’s always a chance he’s in a festive mood.”

Kaiju-Sized FunWith such an eventful period, you might think that there wasn’t time for a new game. WRONG! In fact, Arcane Circus has been working on a brand-new title – a Kaiju-themed card game where players compete for dominance over a city. Team Cool, Team Weird, and Team Cute are in it to win it – and they play by their own rules. Veteran character designer Charles Zembillas (Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro the Dragon) has joined the project as Creative Consultant.

Pricing & AvailabilityCrap! I’m Broke: Out of Pocket is now available on the App Store and Google Play for only $0.99 (50% off the retail price). The sale will end on Oct. 18, when the game returns to its original price of $1.99.

About Arcane CircusEstablished in 2013, Arcane Circus is a two-person studio based in the Netherlands. Founders Erik van Wace and Molly Heady-Carroll believe that games enrich our lives and make us better people. Combining their shared fascination for art, intrigue and games, Molly and Erik strive to create games that are peculiar, varied, quirky, and lovingly crafted with a strong, creative voice.

Novy PR

As the first public relations firm specializing in mobile and indie games, Novy PR focuses on providing a full-service solution to its clients -- including development/production consulting, corporate PR, product launches, and marketing support.

Latest Posts

Facebook

Go on two exciting Twitch adventures with us next week (11am PT / 2pm ET)! On Tuesday, Vanessa Marie steps back into the shoes of Chloe Price in Deck Nine Games Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode Two – and @Marcos Montanez explores the land of Hyrule in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on Wednesday.